FDA Publishes 2026 Food Code and Report on Food Safety Risk Factors in Retail Delis
The FDA issued the 2026 edition of the FDA Food Code this week. It gives guidance to state and local authorities and retailers to help mitigate foodborne illness risks at retail and includes a uniform set of national standards for retail food safety.
FDA said the 2026 Food Code includes an exception allowing double-gloving under specific circumstances; a new requirement for written employee illness policies that are maintained and available; and the establishment of an alternative cooling process for foods at retail.
The Food Code also addresses a range of food safety topics including sanitizer temperatures, consumer advisories, a revised food establishment definition, and much more. The full Summary of Changes can be found here: Summary of Changes in the 2026 FDA Food Code.
Find the 2026 Food Code here.
The FDA also released its report on the Occurrence of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors in Retail Food Store Delis this week. Summarizing the agency’s findings from the 2019-2022 data collection, the report studies trends in foodborne illness risk factors, food safety behaviors, and practices in food service facilities. The delis used in the study were randomly selected from U.S. locations; a complete list of findings is available in the report. Read the full update here.
Kava and Kratom Safety Fresh Take Fridays Recording Available
AFDO’s free Fresh Take Fridays series is back this fall. Last week’s webinar, Everything is Edible at Least Once, Right?, is now available on YouTube. In the session, Natashia Swalve, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Grand Valley State University, examined the safety and effects of kava and other so-called natural remedies in the wake of the Diamond Shroomz recalls and the 7-OH ban. Watch the webinar here.
Register below for future sessions.
Is Food Safety One-Size-Fits-All? A Comparison of Small vs. Large Brands
Friday, October 2
In this webinar, AFDO Retail Food Safety Director Deanna Copeland and Research Director Carrie Rigdon will compare food safety policies, practices, and culture across retail operations of different sizes using data from national surveys. Register here.
New World Screwworm: What Food Safety Professionals Need to Know
Friday, November 6
This Fresh Take Fridays webinar will provide an overview of the New World screwworm, including how the parasite affects animals, the current situation in North America, ongoing prevention and response efforts, and what regulators and food industry professionals need to know. Registerhere.
Beyond the Label: What Food Safety Professionals Need to Know About Kosher and Halal Foods
Friday, December 4
Learn what makes food kosher or halal, discuss key production and certification considerations, and explore strategies for building effective working relationships between food safety professionals and kosher and halal operations. Register here.
All one-hour sessions start at noon ET, so grab your lunch and listen in. You can also catch past Fresh Take Fridays webinars here.
FDA Hosted Retail Food Protection Seminar in Philadelphia Last Week
Last week’s annual FDA Food Protection Seminar training event brought together more than 200 stakeholders from state, local, territorial, and tribal regulatory agencies; industry representatives; federal partners; and academia to focus on current and emerging issues in retail food protection.
Sessions included topics such as the risks associated with cooling hot foods, FDA Food Code updates and adoption, a fireside chat with Acting Director of Human Foods Don Prater, and more. AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach led a session on Root Cause Analysis.
The meeting was co-hosted by the New Jersey Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and AFDO. Review the meeting’s agenda here.
USDA Launches Initiative to Bring More States Into Meat Inspection
On September 16, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Stand-Up Program, which will provide up to $50 million in new funding to help states start or expand their own meat inspection programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The program is intended to carry out the September 4 Executive Order to expand market access for American meat producers and strengthen the domestic supply chain. Read the update here.
Shawna Johnson Named WAFDO Rep to AFDO Board
Shawna Johnson, MPH, has been named the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials (WAFDO) representative to the AFDO Board of Directors. Johnson is the Consumer Protection Coordinator at Boulder County Public Health and currently serves as WAFDO President. With more than 15 years in food safety and a background in veterinary medicine, she leads initiatives focused on regulatory innovation, workforce development, and inspection modernization.
AFDO Committees Host Cyclospora Discussion This Week
The AFDO Laboratory, Science, and Technology and the International & Government Relations committees are hosting a virtual panel discussion exploring current challenges and emerging opportunities in Cyclospora detection Thursday, September 24, 1 to 2 p.m. ET.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Grace Kubin, Deputy Commissioner and Laboratory Director, Public Health Laboratory Division, Texas Department of State Health Services
- Kevin Gerrity, National Expert-Foods, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Inspections and Investigations, Division of Produce Safety
- Dr. Kali Kniel, Unidel S. Hallock du Pont Chair of Microbial Food Safety, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware
AFDO.org Pro Tips
AFDO Directory of State and Local Officials and Retail Food Regulatory Program Directory
In this regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from afdo.org. Program Director Patrick Kennelly offers a pro tip on using AFDO’s Directory of State and Local Officials and Retail Food Regulatory Program Directory.
“Finding the right program contact at a state or local agency can be time-consuming. AFDO helps streamline that process through the Directory of State and Local Officials (DSLO) and the Retail Food Regulatory Program Directory, which connect users with key regulatory contacts across the country.”
Pro Tip: Once you find the contact you need, click the blue “Download vCard” button on their profile to instantly save their information to your contact list.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
FDA’s August Listeria Monocytogenes Worskhop Recordings Available on YouTube
The FDA Human Foods Program’s first public workshop on Listeria monocytogenes prevention (August 18-19, 2026) highlighted progress and challenges in reducing listeriosis. Despite a growing high-risk aging population, U.S. listeriosis rates have remained stable, suggesting prevention efforts have reduced exposure by an estimated 16%.
Participants urged a risk-based approach to Listeria findings and cautioned against punitive responses that discourage monitoring. They also emphasized the need for stronger oversight in retail, healthcare, and smaller processing environments, highlighting state and local inspectors as critical partners for education, technical assistance, and food safety communication.
Watch recordings of Day 1 and Day 2.
Mandernach Presented at 2026 Ecolab Food Safety Symposium Last Week
During the first full week of September, AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach presented a regulatory update at the 2026 Ecolab Food Safety Symposium at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa Valley, California. Mandernach’s presentation included information on expected 2026 Food Code updates, GRAS, chemical safety, and preemption, along with resources from AFDO such as the Retail HACCP Review, training, and more.
2026 AEC Session Explored Food Safety Culture
Strong food safety culture doesn’t happen by accident — it requires commitment, collaboration, and clear expectations. This session at the 2026 AFDO AEC explored the critical role regulators play in fostering food safety culture and how industry partners are working side by side to embed culture into everyday practices. Hear success stories, challenges, and strategies for creating lasting improvements beyond short-term compliance. Moderated by Becky Vought, FDA, speakers included Kurt Chiarelott, The Wendy’s Company; Dionne Crawford, McDonald’s Corporation; and Jodi L. Taylor, the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Watch it here.
FSIS Announces Leadership Changes
Dr. Gabrial Eddings has been named assistant administrator for the Office of Public Health Sciences (OPHS). She has served in several leadership positions within FSIS, most recently as executive associate for regulatory operations within the FSIS Office of Field Operations. The new OPHS deputy assistant administrator is Dr. Glenn Tillman, who has more than 25 years of experience with FSIS serving in multiple roles within OPHS, including as a branch chief for the Microbiology Characterization Branch.
You can find these updates and information about FSIS leadership on the FSIS website.
FDA, ISSC, NCIMS, and AFDO Offer Training Sub Awards to Milk and Shellfish Programs
The application period for Training Sub Awards to State and Territorial Milk and Shellfish Programs opens September 28. The awards are part of a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, and the Association of Food and Drug Officials. The funds support state and territorial (Puerto Rico) agencies with regulatory authority to implement the National Grade “A” Milk Safety Program and/or the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. The application window closes November 6, 2026.
Applicants can learn more details here.
Discover FoodSHIELD 2026 Training
The new self-paced FoodSHIELD Training Series is now available, allowing FDA, USDA, and state and local food safety and laboratory professionals to learn on their own schedule. Explore the redesigned FoodSHIELD portal to find:
- Short, feature-focused videos
- Step-by-step SOPs and quick reference guides
- Monthly live Q&A sessions with recordings available afterward
- No fixed schedule, no deadlines
Register here for an account, or enroll in the training series here.
Regional Affiliate News
Join NEFDOA in Massachusetts for Its Annual Conference This October
Registration is now open for the Northeast Food and Drug Officials Association Annual Conference in historic Northampton, Massachusetts, October 22-23, 2026. Find registration, hotel, and agenda Information at nefdoa.org/events. You can renew NEFDOA membership during the registration process, and interested exhibitors or sponsors can find additional details.
